Rostral columns how many. Rostral columns. One of the symbols of the Northern capital

In the ensemble of the Strelka of Vasilievsky Island, designed by the French architect J.F. Thomas de Thomon included two rostral lighthouse columns. The architect worked for a long time and carefully on the perfection of the proportions of the columns. Rostrum (translated from Latin means "beak") was called the prow of the ship. In ancient Rome, it was customary to celebrate victories at sea with columns that were decorated with the bows of captured enemy ships.

Rostral columns appeared on the spit of Vasilyevsky Island in 1810. One of them was a beacon for ships on the Malaya Neva, the other pointed the way to the Bolshaya Neva. Lighthouses were lit at night and in fog, and served until 1885. Rostral columns are a monument to Russia's naval glory. The columns, built of Pudozh stone, reach a height of thirty-two meters. Inside the columns is a spiral staircase. A metal tripod holding a bowl-lamp is located on the top platform of each column. Bright orange torches on the rostral columns (in 1957 gas was brought to the bowls) are lit on holidays and celebrations in St. Petersburg.

The rostral columns are decorated with rostra. At the bottom of the column is the largest pair of rostra, fortified so that one bow of the ship faces the Neva, the other - the Birzha. The rostra is decorated with the figure of a naiad (river deity). The second pair is located perpendicular to the first, they are decorated with a crocodile head, seahorses and fish. The rostra of the third pair is decorated with the head of a merman, and the fourth, the topmost pair, is decorated with images of seahorses. At the foot of the rostral columns there are monumental statues: two male and two female figures sitting, symbolizing the Russian rivers - the Volga, Dnieper, Volkhov and Neva.

The statues were made according to the models of the French sculptors I. Cumberlain and J. Thibaut, whom Thomon knew well. Initially, Thomas de Thomon wanted the statues of the rivers to be cast iron, but this idea had to be abandoned. Triumphal lighthouse columns were created with the participation of the legendary stonemason S.K. Sukhanov, a native of the poor peasants of the Vologda province. At that time he collaborated with the best architects of St. Petersburg, but then went bankrupt and died in obscurity.

It is noteworthy that the design and construction work associated with rostral columns was constantly under the control of the Council of the Academy of Arts, headed by the great architect A.D. Zakharov. Everything was discussed - both the practical purpose and the artistic appearance. This speaks of the great importance attached to these structures. Rostral columns, powerful in volume and expressive in silhouette, color and proportions, stand out clearly against the sky and are clearly visible from distant perspectives.

In the course of work on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island, it was raised by adding soil to avoid flooding with the waters of the Neva. In addition, the Neva was “pushed back” by about a hundred meters. In winter, thousands of people gathered on the ice in front of the arrow, organized festivities, sledge races.

The sights of capital-type cities, such as St. Petersburg, are known all over the world - these are their business cards. It is impossible to imagine the city of Petra without the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, the Admiralty or St. Isaac's and Kazan Cathedrals.

The pearl among the beauties of St. Petersburg is the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island with monumental rostral columns.

History of rostral columns

The events that preceded the appearance in the northern capital of the symbols of naval victories from Ancient Rome date back to the 18th century, when in 1733 the seaport was transferred from Berezovoe to the eastern tip of Vasilyevsky Island.

After 50 years, Catherine II decided to ennoble this site by building the necessary warehouse and exchange buildings on the port territory. The plans of the empress were disrupted by the war with Turkey, and construction continued already in the 19th century under Alexander I.

The project of the architect J.-F. Thomas de Thomon

Jean-Francois Thomas de Thomon, an architect from France, was invited to design the new look of the Strelka, who took several years to create the future project.

The idea to decorate the port in the ancient Roman style came to the architect in 1801 - the Stock Exchange building should resemble an ancient temple, and the sea power of Russia should be emphasized by ancient Roman columns with the prows of defeated ships.

Thomas de Thomon developed several projects for Strelka's architectural design, in which the role of the columns changed dramatically from a small decorative element to majestic functioning lighthouses in the classicist style.

Construction works

Work began in 1805 under the patronage of the Council of the Academy of Arts, headed by the Russian architect AD Zakharov. According to the approved project, the level of the Strelka was raised above the Neva to protect the coast from floods. At the same time, the Strelka protruded 100 m into the river bed and took on a strictly symmetrical shape.

Rostral columns in St. Petersburg took their place on both sides of the semicircular descent to the Neva, framing a small square on the Strelka and emphasizing with their grandeur the significance of the Stock Exchange building. The opening of the columns took place in 1810.

The height of the structures was 32 meters, due to which they were perfectly visible at a sufficiently large distance.

Being active lighthouses, each of the columns illuminated the way for the ships, directing them to the Neva and Malaya Nevka. Torches were lit at night and in foggy weather until the transfer of the port from the island in 1885.

Technology for creating columns

Thomas de Thomon suggested using bronze for the sculptural elements, considering this metal to be durable and suitable in status for the role assigned to the columns. But the masters of that time did not have the technology to cast such grandiose designs.

To replace bronze, Pudost limestone was proposed, the deposits of which were located not far from Strelka. This mineral has a valuable property for sculptors: at the stage of extraction from a quarry, it is very soft and can be easily worked with simple tools.

Only the action of air and sun causes the stone to harden, after which it becomes very durable.

But the dignity of Pudos limestone is at the same time a disadvantage, since the master does not have time to work out small details and convey the structure of the depicted materials.
The columns themselves are made of brick and covered with plaster.

Rostral columns description

Each column rests on a granite base with steps on which stone sculptures from Pudost limestone are located: a pair of male and a pair of female figures. The tone of the yellowish-gray material effectively emphasizes the terracotta color of the columns themselves.

From the steps to the top, copper imitations of rostra are fixed on the columns - the prows of ships defeated in sea battles. They rise in pairs in four tiers, each pair is turned perpendicular to the previous one. Copper anchors are visible between the rostra on the columns. From time to time, the metal acquired a green tint, which looks especially solemn against a reddish-orange background.

In the cavity of each column, spiral staircases were built leading to the square of the observation deck. There is space for huge bowls - braziers supported by metal tripods. To light the signal fires, hemp oil was kept in these bowls, and the spray from it constantly burned the townspeople passing by.

In 1896 electricity was brought to the braziers. But keeping the lamps on all the time cost a lot of money, and led to the abandonment of the advanced method of lighting.
Since 1957, seven-meter gas flares have been lit above the columns at important moments.

Figures at the foot of the rostral columns

The colossal sculptures on the steps of the rostral columns, as conceived by the architect, personify the greatness and power of the Russian state. They were created by French sculptors J. Kamberlen and F. Thibault. Work on the figures was completed in 1811, later than the delivery of the columns.

The popular assumption that the sculptures represent the rivers of Russia cannot be documented. The figures themselves have too few paraphernalia that would indicate the allegory of the rivers or categorically reject such an assumption.

In the meantime, scientists are arguing about the symbolic meaning of the figures, the guides continue to adhere to the beautiful legend, telling the guests of the city that the sculptures near the southern column are “Neva” and “Volkhov”, and near the northern one - “Volga” and “Dnepr”.

Why are they so named?

Rostral columns are the work of the sculptors of ancient Rome. In those distant times, after grandiose victories at sea, it was customary to erect columns in honor of the triumph, which adorned the prows of the ships of defeated opponents.

Below the waterline on the nose of Roman ships, a ram was attached in the form of a trident or an allegorical figure, called the rostrum. From this element, the name passed to the designation of the bow of the ships, and then to the name of the column of winners.

Rostral columns interesting facts and mysteries

During the existence of rostral columns, unusual facts and mysteries have accumulated:

Each pair of rostra on the columns is decorated in a special way: the lower one is decorated with figures of naiads, the next one is with crocodile heads and fish, the third one is with water heads, the last one is with seahorses.
Rostral columns are designed in the style of classicism.
Works related to bricklaying and processing of granite bases were carried out by a team of Russian stonemasons, master S.K. Sukhanov.
Initially, Elizaveta Petrovna wanted to erect a monument to Peter I on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island.
The last restoration was carried out by the Hermitage employees and was completed in 1999.
SPB rostral columns are printed on 50 ruble banknotes.
The columns were broken into twice, both times in 2011. At the second break-in, a torch is lit.
The columns are included in the Unified State Register of Monuments of History and Culture of Russia.

The riddles about the rostral columns of the SPB include the question of their original purpose. Many researchers doubt that the columns served as lighthouses. Another mystery is about the meaning of the sculptures on the steps of the columns.

In the northern Russian capital there are a number of tourist sites, popular attractions that form the unique image of the city, create its unique atmosphere: it is simply impossible to imagine this city without them.

One such attraction is the Rostral Columns. They rise at the eastern end Vasilyevsky Island- actually in the center of the city. At present, they do not perform any practical function, but in the 19th century, the columns were port lights. These lanterns were lit at night, and their light also helped to navigate in the fog.

History of the columns

The columns were built in the first decade of the 19th century. Project author - Jean-Franus Thomas de Thomon. It was he who came up with the idea to place on the columns as decorations bows of warships - rostra(translated from Latin, the word "rostrum" means "beak").

More precisely, the custom to decorate columns in this way existed in Ancient Rome: those who won the naval battle took the rosters of the defeated ships as trophies and, returning home, put them on public display. This was evidence of military prowess, strength, and was supposed to frighten the enemies. The first such column appeared in Rome around 340 BC. In the 19th century, a French architect remembered this ancient Roman custom and decided to revive it, glorifying the might of Russia as a maritime power.

It should be noted here that the columns are not a monument to victory in any particular naval battle. Moreover, they symbolize the successes of the Russian fleet not only in the military sphere, but also in the field of trade. The rosters used as decorative elements are, of course, not the prows of the actual defeated ships. They were made specifically to decorate the columns. themselves rostra decorated with figures of seahorses, fish, crocodiles, as well as images of winged mermaids and mermen, which again sends us back to ancient traditions.

It is known that the architect worked on the design of the columns for several years. He repeatedly reworked the project, changing the proportions of architectural structures and their decor. The original plan of the architect was very different from his final project: initially, the French architect planned to build small columns. But one of the Russian architects criticized this plan: the stairs, which were supposed to be inside the columns, turned out to be so narrow that no one could climb them, and the walls turned out to be too thin, their strength was extremely doubtful. The French architect took into account all these fair remarks and redid the project.

Speaking about the construction of columns, it is impossible not to mention Samson Sukhanov- a famous stonemason at that time. Coming from a family of poor peasants, he achieved wide fame only thanks to his work and talent. French sculptors also worked on the creation of columns: they made sea god statues; these sculptures can be seen at the foot of the columns.

The structure and architectural features of the columns

The height of each column is thirty two meters. They are covered with plaster and painted in a noble dark red (terracotta) color. The architect who designed the columns was chosen doric order, since it is the most strict, restrained, courageous of all ancient Greek orders (this differs from the elegant Ionic order and luxurious Corinthian).

One of the lanterns points the way to the branch of the Neva, starting at the Palace Bridge; another lantern helps to reach the branch that branches off the river at the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island.

At the foot of the columns you can see four statues. They depict sea gods and patrons of trade. There is an erroneous version according to which these sculptures are allegories of Russian rivers: female figures depict Volga and Neva, male - Dnieper and Volkhov. But this version appeared relatively recently and it does not correspond to the architect's intention at all. There is another strange version about who the sculptures depict: according to it, one of the male figures is fisherman Vasily, who once lived in these places (hence the name of the island - Vasilyevsky), and a nearby female figure depicts him beloved Vasilis. This version is urban folklore and has nothing to do with the truth.

Initially, it was decided to make sculptures from bronze (according to another version, from cast iron), but later the architect abandoned this idea, since the chosen metal was very difficult to process in the right way. It was decided to replace the bronze calcareous tufa. This material has the properties that facilitated the work of sculptors and helped them achieve the best result: in the ground, tuff is elastic and soft, and in the open air it quickly becomes hard and durable.

Each column has Observation deck, which can be reached by a spiral staircase located inside the column. On the observation decks are huge bowl-shaped lamps. These lamps are mounted on special tripods (the design resembles ancient altars). Once upon a time, resin torches blazed on the observation decks of the columns. Later, the bowls of the lamps, inside which there were wicks, began to fill hemp oil. It burns magnificently, forming a tall pillar of fire. This light helped ships find their way to port at night or in dense fog. But hemp oil had one serious drawback: when it burned, a whole firework of flaming oil splashes flew up over the bowl, and this was not at all safe. Falling from a height, these sprays often burned passers-by.

In the mid-90s of the 19th century, hemp oil was replaced electricity. But the use of a new method of lighting proved to be extremely expensive, so that the use of electric column lamps was soon discontinued. In the 1950s, lanterns were gasified. This method of lighting turned out to be much more economical.

Nowadays, famous lanterns are lit only in special solemn occasions(for example, on major holidays - such as the New Year or Victory Day): then bright orange jets of fire seven meters high rise into the sky of the northern Russian capital. But on holidays, the lanterns do not burn all day, but only at certain hours, according to the schedule of celebrations.

It should be noted here that at present some historians doubt that the columns were used as lighthouses(no one denies their use as port lights). Such skeptics point out that usually lighthouses were not placed on the banks of rivers (with the exception of some rare cases), and it is even rarer to hear or read about lighthouses installed in the central part of the city. It is often objected to them that the climatic conditions of the northern Russian capital and the waywardness of the river, on the banks of which the lanterns are installed, are sufficient arguments in favor of the fact that the columns were indeed used as lighthouses for a long time.

The history of the columns has more than two centuries. It is inseparable from the history of the city, one of the "visiting cards" of which are these architectural structures. But still, the columns have their own history, many unusual events and interesting facts are associated with them. Here are some of them:

In the early 30s of the XX century, the columns were captured on color slides by the famous American photographer and traveler Branson Deco.

In the 40s of the XX century, in wartime, the columns were strongly hit by shelling. The decor was pierced by shrapnel and covered with rust. In the late 40s, metal jewelry was replaced with duplicates, which were made from polished copper sheets. The sculptures at the foot of the columns were also seriously damaged; these parts of the architectural monuments were also restored.

The image of the columns can be seen on the banknote in denomination fifty rubles. For this reason, many guests of the capital are photographed against the background of this attraction, holding a bill in their hands.

Last reconstruction famous columns was held at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. The restoration of architectural structures was carried out by high-level specialists, employees of the State Hermitage.

The summer of 2011 was marked by two unusual occurrences related to the Rostral Columns. In the first week of summer, the door to the stairs of one of the columns was broken into by several hooligans. Their goal was to penetrate inside the column. Fortunately, their actions did not cause any damage to the monument of history and architecture. Almost two and a half months later, at the end of August of that year, a certain person (whose name is unknown) entered the observation deck of one of the columns and lit a lantern by opening a gas valve. Firefighters immediately rushed to the scene. The fire was extinguished and the incident ended. From the hooligan actions of a man who arbitrarily lit the flame of the famous lantern column, no one was hurt.

In 2014, the lantern columns were lit in honor of Paralympic Games(an unprecedented case in the history of this architectural landmark). From them, the Paralympic flame was lit, which, according to tradition, was then passed on by relay. In order to "lower" the fire from the observation deck, a special pyrotechnic cord was used.

Photo -

Rostral columns

Arrow VO. Exchange Square, 4x

1805-1810 - arch. Thomas de Thomon J.-F.

1926-1928, 1947-1949, 1997-1998 - restoration

Rostral columns - one of the symbols of St. Petersburg - are an integral part of the ensemble of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. Erected according to the project of arch. J.-F. Thomas de Thomon simultaneously with the central building of the Stock Exchange in 1805-1810. (the grand opening of the Stock Exchange took place in 1816). Two monumental columns of the Doric order are installed at the descent to the Neva, on the sides of the semicircular square in front of the Exchange building. They were supposed to serve as beacons and at the same time emphasize the importance of the Exchange building as the center of the St. Petersburg port. Rostral columns are also a monument to Russia's naval glory.

It took Tom de Thomon several years of searching to draft a new look for the Strelka VO. When working on the architectural ensemble, he created several different versions of her image. The compositional idea of the centrally located building of the Exchange and the Rostral columns flanking it arose already in 1801. The architect worked for a long time and carefully on adjusting the proportions of the Rostral columns. In the original project, the columns were decorative and small in size. Subsequently, the Rostral columns were moved away from the Exchange building, their size was increased, and sculptural decor was introduced. The final project was approved on February 26, 1804. After the approval of the project, a "Commission for the construction of an exchange building and the laying of stone on the Nevsky bank" was created, headed by N.P. Rumyantsev. The monumental structures of the rostral columns were given great importance. This is evidenced by the fact that all the work on their design and construction was carried out under the guidance of the Council of the Academy of Arts, headed by A. D. Zakharov.

Rostral columns (from lat. rostrum - the bow of a ship) are monumental monuments symbolizing naval victories, the maritime power of the country. The tradition of installing Rostral columns dates back to ancient Rome. Rostral columns in Russia became widespread during the period of classicism.

Rostral columns appeared on the Spit of Vasilievsky Island in 1810. It is believed that one of them was a beacon for ships on the Malaya Neva, the other pointed the way to the Bolshaya Neva. The lighthouses were lit at night and in the fog, and served until 1885, when the trading port was transferred to Gutuevsky Island.

The height of each column is 32 m. The columns are decorated with metal sculptural images of rostra - bow parts of ships and images of anchors. At the foot of the Rostral Columns there are 4 sculptures. The sculpture is made of pudost stone. On the tops on square platforms there are metal tripods with bowls-lamps. Access to the bowls is through spiral staircases arranged inside the columns. The columns rest on stepped granite bases, which also serve as pedestals for stone statues.

There is no consensus in determining the names of the figures at the foot of the Rostral Columns. The assertion that allegorical images are presented here, personifying four Russian rivers (near the south - "Volkhov" and "Neva", near the north - "Dnepr" and "Volga"), is not supported by documents and arose relatively recently. Thomas de Thomon himself wrote that "the base of each column is decorated with huge figures that symbolize the deities of the sea and commerce." The attributes of the sculptures are rather sparse, and none of them can confirm or completely refute the version that we have before us allegories of specific four rivers. Only thematic agreement with the sculptural design of the Stock Exchange and some attributes speak in favor of this point of view - one of the male figures squeezes the steering oar with his right hand, and the left one rests on a vessel from which water flows. The man at the second column leans on the lot with his left hand. Both women are depicted with nautical attributes; one of them also holds a cornucopia filled with fruit.

Thomon proposed to cast all the decorations of the Rostral columns from cast iron, but no one undertook such a difficult job. Therefore, in 1809 it was decided to make sculptures from Pudost stone, and trophies from iron. Pudost stone was mined in quarries near St. Petersburg, not far from Gatchina, in the town of Bolshaya Pudost. The structure of this stone does not allow detailed elaboration of small volumes and surface polishing.

To create the sculptural decoration of the Rostral Columns, the "Commission ..." turned to the Academy of Arts. The Council of the Academy of Arts decided to entrust this order to the sculptors V.I. Demut-Malinovsky, S.S. Pimenov, A.S. Anisimov, I.A. Kashchenkov, I.I. Vorotilovau, I.I. Terebenev, P.P. , M.P. Aleksandrov and I.M. Moiseev. But the price they asked seemed high to the academy, and a competition was announced. Those wishing to perform sculptural groups for a lower price were found. Later it was possible to establish the authors of the sculptures. The allegorical statues were made according to the models of the Antwerp sculptor I. Kamberlen (Dnepr) and the Frenchman J. Thibault (Neva, Volkhov and Volga), with whom Thomas de Thomon was well acquainted. The male figure on the northern column - the work of J. Cumberlain differs from the rest in greater dynamism and complexity of the silhouette. ? Execution in 1809-1811

Triumphal columns are traditionally associated with power and strength. The monumental figures placed at the foot of the columns became the personification of these qualities. The composition and plasticity of the figures, designed for viewing from afar, is noteworthy. All the figures are sitting in a markedly frozen pose, only a restrained internal dynamics is guessed. Forms are revealed in a generalized way. The composition of the figures retains the feeling of a stone block, which emphasizes the monumentality of the figures.

The brickwork of the Rostral Columns and the masonry work during the construction of the Rostral Columns were carried out by the artel of master S.K. Sukhanov. The production of anchors and growths was entrusted to blacksmiths Shapov, Vasiliev and Korolkov.

The main decoration of the Rostral columns are the rostra. Since ancient times, anchors and rostras have served as trophies obtained in naval battles. On the trunk of each column, 8 ship rostra with various decorations are symmetrically fixed in 4 tiers. Their largest pair is located at the bottom of the column. One bow is facing the Exchange, and the other is facing the river. The rostra is decorated with the figure of a river deity - a naiad. Another pair of rostra is perpendicular to the first one, it is decorated with the image of the head of a crocodile, seahorses and fish. The third pair of rostra is adorned with the head of a merman, and the fourth - with images of seahorses. (newt, wolf)

The columns are also decorated with relief anchors.

On the tops of the columns, metal tripods with bowls are installed: in the 19th century. oil was poured into them, which was lit at dusk, and the Rostral columns served as beacons at the approach to the St. Petersburg seaport. Access to the bowls was carried out through spiral staircases located inside the columns. The lighthouses served until 1885, they were lit in the fog and at night. Inside, the columns have spiral staircases leading to the upper platforms, where tripods with braziers are placed, designed for signal lights. At first, hemp oil was burned in the braziers, but the hot spray fell down on the heads of passers-by. Then the resin was poured. In 1896, electric lamps were brought to the lamps, but due to the high costs of electricity, this method of lighting was rejected.

The main work on the construction of the exchange ensemble was completed in 1810.

During the Great Patriotic War, the decoration of the Rostral Columns was damaged by fragments of artillery shells and air bombs. The post-war restoration of the sculptural groups at the Rostral Columns was led by the sculptor I. V. Krestovsky. In 1947-1949 all parts were replaced with duplicates made from patinated copper sheets.

In 1957, gas was supplied to the bowls of the lamps. This year (belatedly) we celebrated the 250th anniversary of St. Petersburg. During the celebrations, gas torches were lit for the first time. By tradition, they are lit every year on the days of festivities and celebrations.

Restoration work was carried out in 1926-1928 and 1947-1949. The last took place in 1998-1999.

Pudost limestone, to a greater extent than other rocks, is subject to the damaging effects of temperature changes, precipitation, and industrial emissions. Therefore, a sculpture made of Pudost stone often has to be restored.

In the second half of the 1920s. the authorities of Leningrad were forced to urgently begin the restoration of city monuments (including the Rostral columns), because. by this time, many of them were in a catastrophic state. Well-known professional sculptors were invited to carry out restoration work. Supervised the work I. V. Krestovsky. About the state of the monument, Krestovsky wrote: “The sculptures, by the time of their restoration, which was carried out after the October Revolution, turned out to be painted with oil paint, and more than once, and each time with a new color. places of breakdowns, but also in completely intact places. During the restoration of the stone figures of the Rostral columns, two or three extraneous cement, gypsum and plaster coatings were removed from each of the figures. And in the future, the renewal of the lost parts was carried out according to the established traditions - from cement mortars using iron fastening rods and brackets, which caused new destruction of natural stone. During subsequent repairs, which were usually carried out in a hurry on the eve of the celebration of anniversaries, iron pins and nails were driven into the stone in places of loss, which served as reinforcement for cement finishing. The destroyed parts of the figures were replaced with new ones, made of cement or cut out of another type of stone, and everything was covered with paint.

In 1996, the question arose of another restoration. During the restoration of the sculpture of the Rostral Columns, a technique developed by the Research Institute "Spetsproektrestavratsiya" and tested by the Hermitage staff during the restoration of the Admiralty was used. First of all, the sculpture was washed, sooty pollution was removed, and then biodamages were neutralized. Late additions, made of foreign material that contributed to the destruction of the sculpture, were removed. The cleaned stone was strengthened, and exact repetitions of the lost parts were installed in the damaged places, making them in Pudost limestone. The fastening of the missing parts, the elimination of chips and cracks were carried out with a special composition of lime and marble chips. To fix the lost elements, hollow corundum ceramic rods were used. The core manufacturing technology was developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Refractories. Employees of the Research Institute "Spetsproektrestavratsiya" suggested using corundum ceramics in restoration practice. The restoration work was financed by Baltonexim Bank.

(O. Mozgovaya. Rostral columns are a symbol of sea victories. Journal. Science and Life. N 2. 2000.)

Now, at night, the Rostral columns and other structures of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island are illuminated by searchlights. In youth slang, Rostral columns are called "Torches".

([*] - Leningrad. Planning and building. 1945-1957.)

(Shuisky V.K. Thomas de Thomon. (Architects of our city). Lenizdat. 1981. S. 26-149.)

(Monumental and decorative sculpture of Leningrad. Art. Leningrad branch. 1991. P. 35, Mary)

(Encyclopedic reference book. St. Petersburg. M. Great Russian encyclopedia. Belova L. N.)

(I. Lisaevich. I. Betcher-Ostrenko. Sculpture of Leningrad. Art. Leningrad. Moscow. 1965. S. 37-44., Mary)

(Lisovsky V.G. Architecture of St. Petersburg, Three centuries of history. Slavia., St. Petersburg, 2004.

Pukinsky B.. St. Petersburg 1000 questions and answers. Norint., St. Petersburg. 2007.)

(Gusarov A. Yu. Monuments of military glory of St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg, 2010)

(Based on media material, Mary)

(Restoration of monuments of history and art in Russia in the XIX-XX centuries. History, problems: Textbook. M., 2008.)

Numerous travel agencies and sightseeing routes bring hundreds of tourists every day to one of the most popular sights of the city - to Vasilyevsky Island, whose Arrow with Rostral columns and the Stock Exchange building we see on thousands of postcards. Regardless of the day of the week, at any time of the day, here you can meet newlyweds who celebrate the beginning of a new life in the center of their beloved city.

Historical reference

Since the founding of the city, Vasilyevsky Island has played an important part in its life. The arrow (as its eastern tip is called) was originally supposed to be built up with houses according to the project of the architects. However, the plan was changed, as Peter the Great decided to make this site one of the centers of business and cultural life of the city. At his behest, the architect designed a new ensemble, which included the buildings of the Kunstkamera, the Stock Exchange, and the Rostral Columns.

According to the idea of Peter the Great, the city began with a building that was supposed to become a center of trade. But since it was shallow enough, the site of the main actions was moved to Vasilyevsky Island. The arrow played a big role not only in trade affairs, but also in the further development of the city. The building of the Exchange, customs, warehouses were moved here, Gostiny Dvor was erected here.

Exchange

The Stock Exchange building flaunts at the head of everything. It is one of the visiting cards for which St. Petersburg is known all over the world. The Spit of Vasilevsky Island is one of the most important and beautiful sights of the city. It is pleasant to be here at any time of the year, from here a beautiful view of the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Neva Delta opens up.

The architectural style in which the Exchange building was built is classicism. The architect was J.F. Thomas de Thomon. The space in front of the building was divided into two squares - Kollezhskaya and Birzhevaya. After the construction of the Exchange building, according to the plan of the architects, the space in front of it was increased by 100 meters. Thus, a contrast was created between the architectural components and the space for the approach of ships was equipped. Gentle slopes, decorated with granite balls, lead to the water.

Rostral columns

Another symbol distinguishes Vasilyevsky Island. The arrow is decorated with two that were erected as beacons for ships. They were guided by their light when entering the port. The height of the columns is 32 meters. They were symbols of the greatness of the sea power of the state. Their decorations are the bows of the ships, and the figures, which are located at the foot, symbolize the great rivers - the Volga, Dnieper, Neva and Volkhov.

Currently, one of the most interesting places to visit in the city is Vasilyevsky Island. Arrow offers to visit such interesting museums as Zoological, Soil Science, Literary, Kunstkamera and Central Naval. Spit of Vasilevsky Island invites you to see their exhibits, as well as enjoy the magnificent view. The address of these museums is known to many, so do not forget to visit them.